Reflections on Successful Multi-Ethnic Communities

Wow! That was a fantastic ACMO/CCI Condominium Conference on Building Relationships.

I was impressed with the number of exhibitors, participants and the information that was presented. Among the many topics covered, we also explored how condominium communities have to be aware of cultural differences in order to ensure a balance in communities.

The constant theme in the presentation that I was involved in, Building Successful Ethnic Communities, was education, education, education. We were amazed by the different experiences the people shared with us on cultural issues that impacted their communities. The one that stood out the most in my mind was the use of swastika on the door. Now, before you get upset, it is not the Nazis' swastika that was being talked about. There is a religious symbol in the Hindu and Buddhist tradition -- over 3000 years old -- that relates to sign of good luck, fortune and happiness. Often, you see these signs presented at the time of Diwali. Now, in communities where people are aware of the Holocaust and may even be a part of the groups persecuted by the Nazis, this symbol can bring to the forefront feelings of sadness and anger. If we look clearly though at the Hindu symbol, it is clearly not the same. It is not presented in the same colours, the same tones and not even in the same direction. To confuse a symbol of good luck, good wishes and good tidings with something so horrific as that of the Nazi regime would be a shame. It would be putting aside a history and tradition that is far greater, far more worthy and far more impressive than the Nazis could ever be. Am I taking a stand? Yes, as a Canadian. I believe in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms of Canada and the Human Rights Code of Ontario. Accordingly, we need to be thoughtful as to how symbols are used but we should be more thoughtful in how we read symbols.

Canadians are actually a very different group of people. We live here willing to integrate with other cultures. We respect various roots and various stories. In the Canadian culture, we have the tradition of common law - when a case is proven, especially at the Supreme Court of Canada, it stands as a binding evidentiary precedent. You may recall in the case called R. v. Zundel, [1992] 2 S.C.R. 731 where it was clearly proven in the Canadian courts of law that the Holocaust did occur. This was particularly important as there are fewer and fewer individuals with firsthand knowledge of this event. It is now part of our legal Canadian culture, and is a fact that cannot be ignored.

Another method of increasing our knowledge, education and quality of education is to know what is on the global community calendar. Years ago, our firm started identifying cultural holidays and statutory holidays to be to aware of the variety of communities and in order to help managers and Boards. Here is the link to the 2012 holiday dates that impact calendars so that meetings are scheduled in such a way that they do not offend major religious holidays. This list is updated each December for the year ahead.

I look forward to sharing ideas on communications and cultures at the Building Condomunity blog. 

All of the information contained in this article is of a general nature for informational purposes only, and is not intended to represent the definitive opinion of the firm of Elia Associates on any particular matter. Although every effort is made to ensure that the information contained in this newsletter is accurate and up-to-date, the reader should not act upon it without obtaining appropriate professional advice and assistance.

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